She inspired, she divided.
She was Britain's first woman prime minister,
the first to win three consecutive elections and left office having never lost
one. Yet many will never forgive her for the deep divisions (economic and
social) resulting from policies rooted in her belief that "there's no such
thing as society".
Her political philosophy and economic
policies emphasised deregulation (particularly of the financial
sector!), flexible labour markets, the privatisation of state-owned companies and reducing the
power and influence of trade unions. Thatcher's popularity during her first
years in office waned amid recession and high unemployment, until economic
recovery and the 1982 Falklands War brought a resurgence of support,
resulting in her re-election in 1983.
Memories and opinion of Lady Thatcher will always
be divided……you cannot be a world leader for such a period of time without it
courting disagreement. The response to her death is proof of that.
I disagree with many
of the things that she did. I come from a family where generations worked
in mining and her legacy has left a foot print in the North East that is still
being felt 30 years on.
Yet she helped to
change the world with her part in stopping the cold war by having the ‘balls’
to inspire and bully Reagan and Gorbachev. Having recently visited Berlin, it
is evident that she changed millions of lives in such a positive way as a
consequence. Not just in one city, but throughout Eastern Europe. President
Obama summed this up perfectly by stating that “the world has lost a champion
of freedom and liberty”. Ask anyone in Eastern Europe if they disagree. Her
respect has been well earned surely?
Many words will be written and spoken. Many
tributes will be paid. Some will mourn. Others will celebrate. Her legacy and history will judge her now......
She inspired, she divided.
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